Labour leadership election: 40,000 registered supporters rejected

Around 40,000 people have had their applications to vote in the Labour leadership election rejected.

It is understood that tens of thousands of people have had their £25 applications to become registered supporters thrown out because they previously supported a rival party candidate, were not on the electoral register or because their payments bounced.

People who are recognised to have made racist, sexist or anti-Semitic remarks are also automatically cleared off the list using Labour's central database.

It is thought that a further 50,000 anti-Corbyn supporters may have joined this year, which could help to narrow the margins but is unlikely to be anywhere near enough to oust the Labour leader, who is believed to enjoy the support of the other 90,000 who have registered.

One glimmer of hope for the Owen Smith campaign is that in the last contest more full Labour members voted for Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall combined than they did for Mr Corbyn and with only two candidates in this race, Mr Smith will be hoping he can win many of those backers.